Jenny Greenfield

Something to Declare: Good Lesbian Travel Writing

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Something to Declare is a wonderful collection of travel stories written to share a unique experience, traveling while lesbian. These stories bring a solid voice to the forefront for queer travel writing, showing the world that travel is indeed colored by the lens of being a lesbian. It lets readers know they no longer have to accept a straight perspective, and allows them to identify with the authors and the places in a way that has not been previously accessible through traditional travel writing anthologies.

Something to Declare has stories of travel from around the world and around the corner. They are stories of love, loss, and self discovery through adventure, mishap, and distance. My favorite story was “What happens after this day” by Hannah Tennent-Moore, which is about a young woman who sorts out her complicated love life while also leaving it behind and studying at an ashram in India. The descriptions of place and emotion and how we tie the to two together are so perfectly written; it is as if you are right alongside the author on her journey of self discovery.

Another standout story is Sandra Gail Lambert's “Looking for the V,” a short story written about a group of friends—two lesbian couples and one single woman in a wheelchair—who embark on a weekend kayaking trip. This story describes the peace that comes with being single, traveling down a wide stretch of river, and learning how to appreciate what you have. It shows how living in the moment brings much joy to the heart.

The stories in Something to Declare span the width and breadth of women’s experiences during travel. The diversity within the stories and authors makes is easily accessible, as well as a very enjoyable read for any lesbian who wants to travel, but is unable to at the moment. This book is the perfect item to squash your travel bug or awaken the adventurer within.

Written by: Jenny Greenfield, January 5th 2010

4:Play: A Contemporary Cocktail of Erotic Short Stories

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

By Jess C. Scott

4:Play: A Contemporary Cocktail of Erotic Short Stories, is a compilation of short erotic stories designed to whip its readers into an erotic frenzy. This goal is only mildly achieved. Jess C. Scott’s use of modern formatting and writing style often bogs the reader down in trying to figure out who is speaking in a story, causing the erotic material to get lost.

In the first story, “Black Velvet,” the author uses copies of instant messenger and text message conversations throughout the story. These often become confusing and difficult to read along with all of the contemporary language short cuts used within the conversations between the characters. Perhaps this is an indication that this reader is more of a traditionalist, because I still do not fully understand what LOL or ROFL mean.

The themes used throughout 4:Play appear to be more about shock value than eroticism. The story “Wicked Lovely” is about a brother and sister pair locked in passion, while “Devilin Fey” has a sort of macabre feel that makes it difficult to connect with for me. The section titled “Appetizers” contains short poems or texts that fail to deliver erotically and only made me feel like an awkward voyeur. Overall, the stories at the beginning of the book are somewhat steamy, but as the collection continues the momentum is becomes lost and fizzles.

Throughout the book the use of mixed pacing methods with email, text, letters, and journals within one story at times make this a difficult book to read. 4:Play is for those who enjoy this type of mixed pacing and use of modern, contemporary language; however, if you prefer more traditional writing, themes, and language choices or a good quick read with lots of steamy content, this is a book to avoid. The material is more like a slow burn with no real climax.

Written by: Jenny Greenfield, January 4th 2010

Portland Queer: Tales of the Rose City

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Edited by Ariel Gore

Lit Star Press

Portland Queer: Tales of the Rose City is a mixed collection of memoir and fiction short stories that center on the city of Portland, OR. All of the stories are written in first person narrative and beautifully display the diversity of the human experiences which only a city like Portland can provide the backdrop. These stories provide readers with a view of the city that may not have been available before this collection was published. Each tome represents a different view of life in the city as it is lived by the LGBTQI population that calls Portland home. Portland has long been a mecca for the LGBTQI masses and this collection of stories celebrates the many reasons why this is the case.

Editor Ariel Gore wanted readers to know that, “Portland is a queer magnet...and Portland is alienating and phobic...Within these contradictions, there’s also a common experience. In a world that tries to divide us further and further from each other, I want to see our threads woven together.” Gore brings together a collection of stories and raw human experiences, reminding her readers that we are all fragile beings who seek out connections with each other and find comfort in place. For these authors that place is Portland.

The book is broken up into four sections—“Love and Other Sad, Sparkly Things,” “Migrations,” “For Service and Devotion,” “Then Sometimes this Feeling of Home”—and each contains several stories. The first deals with several versions of love and how love can catch us off guard. The second section is composed of stories about leaving and returning to the Rose City, while the third and fourth sections contain stories of living and working in the city.

There are several prominent writers featured in this collection, as well as several first-time writers, which helps to present the variety of styles and viewpoints. Those who have a short attention span, as I do will enjoy the variety contained in these short stories. They're enough to keep anyone in need of good literature who is short on time happy.

Written by: Jenny Greenfield, October 5th 2009

Scramble

admin — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:29:00 +0000

By The Coathangers

Suicide Squeeze Records

Scramble is the fresh and inventive sophomore album from The Coathangers. This all-girl band will impress you with the witty lyrics. Their sound is an enjoyable blend of surf music and underground garage punk.

Scramble is a great mood lifter and will get you in the mood to slam dance the night away before you head out for the weekend. The lyrics are easily relatable for any girl who has stood up for herself or thought about taking action against those who are oppressing her. The unique do-it-yourself sound of the album makes the listener want to find all her musical friends and make an album in her parent’s garage. The band also keeps you guessing by throwing in short clips from cult films and changing the tone of the songs periodically so as not to bore the audience.

There are several songs that could easily become your favorites. “Dreamboat” is a throwback to fifties pop with outrageous female vocals and a catchy melody that does not annoy but empowers the listener to change the way she thinks about traditional pop love songs. Another favorite is “Stop Stompin’,” which is a song about annoying upstairs neighbors and is recognizable to anyone who has had to live in cramped, cheap apartment housing with a lead-footed neighbor. I will often find myself singing it when I am annoyed with my current neighbor, thus channeling all of my righteous anger into a healthy outlet.

The Coathangers have made a fantastic contribution to girl rock history with this musical compilation that will pump you up before heading out to your next underground feminist shindig.

Written by: Jenny Greenfield, May 23rd 2009